The Hosting of Major Sports Events in Developing Countries: What Can Kenya Learn from South Africa?
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THE HOSTING OF MAJOR SPORTS EVENTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: WHAT CAN KENYA LEARN FROM SOUTH AFRICA? BY Doreen Anyango Odhiambo A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Central Lancashire SEPTEMBER 2015 STUDENT’S DECLARATION Concurrent registration for two or more academic awards I declare that while registered as a candidate for the research degree, I have not been a registered candidate or enrolled student for another award of the University or other academic or professional institution. Material submitted for another award I declare that no material contained in the thesis has been used in any other submission for an academic award and is solely my own work. Signature of Candidate ______________________________________________________ Type of Award ______________________________________________________ School _______________________________________________________ i ABSTRACT Developed countries have dominated the hosting of major sports events for many decades, however recent years have witnessed cities and nations from ‘developing countries’ bidding to stage and actually hosting these events. This thesis examines the growing interest of developing countries in hosting major sports events. There were three main objectives. First, to outline the relationship between African countries and the global sports system (GSS), with a specific focus on Kenya and South Africa. Second, to critically assess the understandings of key actors and agencies in Kenya with respect to the possibilities and challenges of hosting major sports events, in comparison with actors and agencies in South Africa. Third, to investigate the knowledge transfer process with respect to the hosting of major sports events, using Kenya as an example. The thesis adopted a critical realist theoretical framework to examine the structures and agencies of the GSS in order to understand the relationship between it and actors and agencies of sports events in Africa. The thesis argues that, though countries like Kenya may aspire to host one of the major sports events, the actual reality of hosting these events depends on many external factors which are out of their control. The research methodology used in the thesis involved a two-stage qualitative approach through the analysing of archival data and conducting of expert interviews. The researcher reviewed past literature (on sports mega-events, sports policy issues, policy learning and transfer and the history of sport in Kenya) and constructed semi-structured interview guides. The thesis concludes that the structure of the GSS and global sports organizations are not favourable to and are often prohibitive to developing countries in terms of enabling these countries to compete equally with developed countries in hosting sports events, competing in international sports events, and taking part in decision making at the international level. This is contrary to these organizations’ claims to adhere to the values of equality for all their members. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS STUDENT’S DECLARATION ............................................................................................. i ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................... ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................... iii LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................. vii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................... ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................... xii .................................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 Aim and Objectives of the study ........................................................................................ 5 Rationale of the study ........................................................................................................ 5 The use of South Africa in the study ................................................................................. 7 Structure of the Thesis ....................................................................................................... 9 .................................................................................................................................. 11 SPORTS EVENTS AND DEVELOPMENT ...................................................................... 11 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 11 Sports Events ................................................................................................................... 11 Classification of International Sports Events ................................................................... 13 The Global Sports System ............................................................................................... 18 Bidding for major sports events ....................................................................................... 20 Why are countries competing to host major international sporting events? .................... 21 Sports Events and Social Development ........................................................................... 29 iii Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 31 .................................................................................................................................. 33 THEORIES OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND SPORT ............................................... 33 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 33 Development .................................................................................................................... 33 Development Theories ..................................................................................................... 37 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 56 .................................................................................................................................. 62 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY......................................................................................... 62 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 62 Research Paradigm........................................................................................................... 62 Research Approach .......................................................................................................... 67 Research Design............................................................................................................... 71 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................... 82 Personal Reflections......................................................................................................... 85 Limitations and Challenges.............................................................................................. 88 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 89 .................................................................................................................................. 90 KENYA, SPORT AND HOSTING EVENTS..................................................................... 90 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 90 A brief history of Kenya .................................................................................................. 91 Post-Colonial Kenya ........................................................................................................ 96 Sport in Kenya ................................................................................................................. 98 Sports Administration in Kenya..................................................................................... 102 Kenyan Sports Policy ..................................................................................................... 105 Challenges of Sport in Kenya ........................................................................................ 107 iv Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 111 ................................................................................................................................ 114 LEARNING FROM SOUTH AFRICA ............................................................................